By John Turney
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| Damar Hamlin |
He was resuscitated after suffering cardiac arrest in January. Now his recovery is so complete that he's been cleared to return to his team.
The Professional Football Writers of America on Monday named Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin its 55th recipient of the George Halas award, sometimes called the George Halas Courage Award.
The annual award is given to an NFL player, coach or staffer "who overcomes the most adversity to succeed," and Hamlin is at the top of that list.
He suffered cardiac arrest after tackling Tee Higgins in a Jan. 2 game vs. Cincinnati and was resuscitated on the field. After he was transported to a nearby hospital, he underwent intensive care and made such progress that he was released within a week.
He has since made a full recovery.
"This event was life-changing," Hamlin said at a news conference two months ago,"but it's not the end of my story."
After meeting with three medical specialists last month, Hamlin, 25, was "fully cleared" to return to team meetings and can return to play without fear of medical complications, said Buffalo GM Brandon Beane.
Hamlin drew widespread support during his recovery, with President Joe Biden saying that his "courage, resilience and spirit inspired the American people," during Hamlin's visit to the White House earlier this year.
New York Giants' running back Saquon Barkley, San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, Washington Commanders' running back Brian Robinson Jr. and Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Geno Smith were finalists for this year's award.
The award was created in 1969 and first gained national attention the following year when Gale Sayers received it and gave it to teammate Brian Piccolo, who was battling cancer. Sayers was voted the award for recovering from a serious knee injury to lead the NFL in rushing but he insisted that his teammate and friend have the trophy instead.
"Brian Piccolo has never given up," Sayers said when given the award. "He has the heart of a giant and that rare form of courage that allows him to kid himself and his opponent - cancer. He has the mental attitude that makes me proud to have a friend who spells out the word 'courage' 24 hours a day, every day of his life."
“You flatter me by giving me this award, but I tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man who should receive the George S. Halas Courage Award. It’s mine tonight, but tomorrow it’s Brian Piccolo’s. I love Brian Piccolo, and I'd like all of you to love him, too.
"Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.”
The full list of recipients:
1969 — Joe Namath, New York Jets
1970 — Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears
1971 — Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints
1972 — Jimmy Johnson, San Francisco 49ers
1973 — Mike Tilleman, Atlanta Falcons
1974 — Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears
1975 — Rocky Bleier, Pittsburgh Steelers
1976 — Billy Kilmer, Washington Redskins
1977 — Tom DeLeone, Cleveland Browns
1978 — Pat Fischer, Washington Redskins
1979 — Bert Jones, Baltimore Colts
1980 — Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys
1981 — Rolf Benirschke, San Diego Chargers
1982 — Joe Klecko, New York Jets
1983 — Eddie Lee Ivery, Green Bay Packers
1984 — Ted Hendricks, Los Angeles Raiders
1985 — John Stallworth, Pittsburgh Steelers
1986 — Gary Jeter, Los Angeles Rams
1987 — William Andrews, Atlanta Falcons
1988 — Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
1989 — Karl Nelson, New York Giants
1990 — Tim Krumrie, Cincinnati Bengals
1991 — Dan Hampton, Chicago Bears
1992 — Mike Utley, Detroit Lions
1993 — Mark Bavaro, Cleveland Browns
1994 — Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
1995 — Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
1996 — Larry Brown, Dallas Cowboys
1997 — Jim Harbaugh, Indianapolis Colts
1998 — Mark Schlereth, Denver Broncos
1999 — Dan Reeves, Atlanta Falcons
2000 — Bryant Young, San Francisco 49ers
2001 — Kerry Collins, New York Giants
2002 — Garrison Hearst, San Francisco 49ers
2003 — Robert Edwards, Miami Dolphins
2004 — Sam Mills, Carolina Panthers
2005 — Mark Fields, Carolina Panthers
2006 — Tony Dungy, Indianapolis Colts
2007 — Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
2008 — Kevin Everett, Buffalo Bills
2009 — Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2010 — Mike Zimmer, Cincinnati Bengals
2011 — Mike Heimerdinger, Tennessee Titans
2012 — Robert Kraft, New England Patriots
2013 — Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts
2014 — O.J. Brigance, Baltimore Ravens
2015 — Steve Gleason, New Orleans Saints
2016 — Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs
2017 — David Quessenberry, Houston Texans
2018 — Marquise Goodwin, San Francisco 49ers
2019 — Ryan Shazier, Pittsburgh Steelers
2020 — Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
2021 — Alex Smith, Washington Football Team
2022 — Ron Rivera, Washington Football Team
2023 — Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills
I remember Brian's Song...made my cry. Did not know this was the honor he got when he made the speech.
ReplyDeleteFrom Brian wolf ...
ReplyDeleteClearance or not, Hamlin should be treated cautiously and be able to sustain game conditions, contact. I still do not have faith in NFL contigency plans if tragedy strikes players again but hopefully they learned something. Though the Chiefs beat the Bengals fair and square in the playoffs, I still feel the Bengals were cheated out of possibly playing the Chiefs at home for the AFC Championship, which is why games have to resume and not be cancelled; especially by owners bypassing league rules ...
Without Teddi Bruschi and Luke Kuechley on it, this list is a joke.
ReplyDeleteIn 2005 the AP split the Comeback Player of the year Award between Steve Smith and Tedy Bruschi. The PFWA gave it to Steve Smith. So there was some recognition for Bruschi when he made his comeback, but it was not unanimous.
DeleteKeuchly didn't win the Comeback Player Award ever.
The Halas Courage Award is akin to a Comeback Award, though not exactly. Sometimes who we may want to get an award does not get the votes.